Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-20
ing her he slid from his hiding place upon


knew better, and having squeezed itself
through the rustic work it vigorously at
tackled the captains stockinged legs, for he
had a shapely calf, and was indulging i'll
knickerbockers.
The little brute worried him so terribly
that he beat hasty retreat and left it in
possession of the field.
That evening he smoked profoundly, draw
ing at his cigar like man in deep thought;
moreover. rare thing for Bertram Berkeley,
he dreamed-and his dreams were of blue
eyes and golden hair.
His first waking thought was of the prin-
cess of the fairy cottage
"She bathes," he said II will go down TO
the sea Shore and sprang out of bed and
went without even asking for his breakfast,
and regardless OF the cravings of the inner
man, he stayed or the beach till II, but she
never came Hungry and dissatisfied he re-
turned to the inn and ate his burnt up viands,
which had been waiting for him since 10
o'clock, and started for that narrow lane
once more This time he was not disap-
pointed; there she wasl
Her hair was plated and coiled up, and she
looked like young queen. and in his mind
he apostrophized her as Juno
He hid behind some thick shrubs, and
| prayed that his enemy might not discover
him. A sun hat was in her left hand and
| she placed ii upon her head, and turning TO
moving machine which stood upon the lawn,
she set to work with will TO cut the grass,
and the sharp bright blades revolved as the
| verlant atoms few before her.
| "Strong and muscular, too,n he said ad
Il. 1.
| wife she will make!"
| The grass was finished and the bright vision
vanished, and once more the thoughtful mood
| descended upon the captain.
| He was up again early the next morning
| and down upon the beach, but ois divinity
was earlier still and was already in the water,
dressed in the prettiest of French bathing
costumes and swimming about like fish
| When she perceived the stranger she swan
behind projecting rock and darted with
wonderful agility through the wooded path
up the hillside and out OF sight
And modest cried Bertram, with en-
thusiasm; u wish to goodness l Snew her
He had his wish, in measure, that after
| noon He met her accidentally out walking,
and Tiny was with her
For once he blessed that dog. He srarlel
at strong fox terrier, who Immediately
towled him over, with the evident intention
of making mincemeat OF him
Here was grand opportunity No one
disliked the idea of hydrophobia more than
Bertram Berkeley but he was not the man
TO lose such chance. H rushed to the res
cue and administering severe chastisemeht
upon the bellicose animal delivered the small
creature in safety to Its anxious mistress.
"Oh, thank you, very, very mueh!' she
said eagerly. at was 50 good of you to save
my little pet. am most grateful to you,
and she raised her beautiful blue eyes to his
face, while his heart beat with heavy tnud
worthy OF the Nasmyth hammer.
He was handsome fellow, and she AZ
know!edged the fac- TO herself as she looked
up to his animated conference.-the clear,
dark eyes. the closely cropped hair and clean
shaved bronze face-save fog the heavy brown
mustache-tne tajl manly figure, and erect
carriage.
lit has been more than pleasure to serve
YOU" he murmured, raising his hat chival
rousy. a am delighted ] vas upon the spot
such savage dogs out to be muzzled.'
He turned as he spoke and walked py her
side
so far out of London such regulations are
not enforced, she answered with q smile.
NO, but they ought to be if hydrophoba
is to be stamped out of England"
Il hope you have not let that animal bite
youi" she said anxiously.
AOh, dear no! What a lovely little place
this isIr
YES You are a stranger bere'" she said
interrogatively.
Quite | confess should prefer having q
companion, but have enjoyed nv stay here
so far; they take great care Of me at the inn.
"They are very respectable people, she re-
turned deInurely
What an exquisite little cottage yours is,
he said, after a pause; do you know saw
you in your garden day or two since"
YES, recognized you again, she returned
quietly. Tiny rather objected to you, but
he did not know you would prove friend ii
need to him. she answered with sunny
laugh.
mo. He was decidedly antagonistic," he
answered, laughing too.
ado you want to muzzle him?" she asked
'Im afraid so; if the thing is to be done a.
all it should be done properly, but if any dog
in the world is exempted that one should bt
Tiny"
"Because he is so amiable?" she queried.
@No, because his mistress is replied h,
calamity
"That was well turned" she laughed; "anc
now must wish you good day; our roads liz
apart; am going home"
A look of regret passed across his features
end his eyes fell upon cluster of delicat
! -k,J 81 u. l.,
What exquisite blossomsl' he said; may
ask great favor7"
You have done me one she answers
graclously, "and certainly have the right t
demand one in return"
al haven't 4 flower IN my ROOM he said il
IL low voice may l crave one of your rose
for my table{
-One would be Of little use-you are wei
come to the whole bunch; they will fill
small vase" she answered readily, and IN
pinning them she placed them in his hanI
with natural unconcerned bow, as sh
turned in tue direction Of her golden thatchet
cottage with her dog in her arms.
Grateful, and generous and affectionate,
lie decided, and pressed the roses to his lips
That night he wrote again to his friend:
DEAR FALKSER-I have met my fate, 1t is n,
use your coming for me; shall get my leave ex
tended. She is enchanting! 1t is serious thi
time, old fellow, don't laugh. Yours ever,
BIB.
He haunted that lane Sometimes h
spoke to her over the fence; she was ver1
gracious to him, but she did not ask him in.
Once she was walking in the garden witt
all elderly man.
"Her father" he told himself What
nice looking old fellow; l must get hold o
him and then it will be all right"
He telegraphed to Covent Garden for
bouquet of rare exotics to be sent down T.
him by parcel post. They came, and he wen
and left them at the house himself, with hi
card attached, and underneath he wrote, Ill
grateful return for the roses, and closed tn
box once more
A neat maid received it from his hands
and by her "Merci, monsieur" he discovers
she was Frenchwoman.
He asked no questions, and left no message
not wishing to expose his ignorance Of evel
MS lady's name.
He walked on, but he was restless, and re
turned once more and sat upon the wall b
watch. Surely his divinity would come GU
soon. She did, with the garden hose in he
hand, and set to work diligently to water
Suddenly she turned it in the captains direc
ton, and soused him through and through
Then, with a siivery laugh, quickly checked
she made her apologies.
Dear me, Capt Berkeleyl" she said wit
much apparent concern, "Tm afraid / hav
sprinkled you little
"Sprinkled" himi He was wet through